Reactions and Reviews: From McCaffrey

McCaffrey was sent copies of the first two issues.

Her comments regarding an article in the first issue, one which deals with F'lar's age:

I.....have read through with interest, and a gulp for the inconsistancy [sic] of Flar's age. Todd Johnson, my son, tries to keep me right but occassionally [sic] I have goofed. Actually, F'lar is 10 Turns Lessa's senior and she is 24 when Ramoth and Mnementh mate. Todd keeps arguing that F'nor, having spent three Turns back in Southern Weyr , is subjectively now older than his half-brother but I keep saying it really doesn't matter.... [1]

Reactions and Reviews: From Fans

Crystal Singer' is primarily an Anne McCaffrey 'zine and primarily nonfictional and devoted to more than just Pern (surely you've heard of the 'Dragonriders of Pern' series? If not, where have you been?), but will contain an Alien Relations Department which will run mentions of non-McCaffrey matters. Essentially a letterzine, 'Crystal Singer' nit-picks discrepancies in the Pern series, debates different statements from the books, and generally has a good time. Eidtor David allows himself to mold CS into a sort of personalzine/letterzine format, which is not really a bad thing. Mimeod, unreduced, art in future and some art in these issues is electrostenciled. Could be more legibly done, but it's cheap, and a boon to McCaffrey fans. After all, who doesn't like dragons? LoCs are beginning to show up, a serious article or two, reviews, etc. The format is flexible. Try it, you may like it. [2]

Oh!!! A bit of news found in issue 3, May 1978!!!! (I have photo copies of issues 2-6 also, cuz a friend has the originals)
Anne was sent copies of the first 2 issues and the first issue deals with F'lar's age in one article.
She says "I.....have read through with interest, and a gulp for the inconsistancy of Flar's age. Todd Johnson, my son, tries to keep me right but occassionally I have goofed. Actually, F'lar is 10 Turns Lessa's senior and she is 24 when Ramoth and Mnementh mate. Todd keeps arguing that F'nor, having spent three Turns back in Southern Weyr , is subjectively now older than his half-brother but I keep saying it really doesn't matter...."

Just a neat tidbit that I thought would be of interest.

In the later issues there are letters from folks giving their opinion of the zine. There is also talk of orgainzing 'Central Weyr' or the purpose of discussion, round-robin letters and special projects, etc. They also talk about Cons they've been to and what happened at the con. There is also some big buildup to The White Dragon being published. Kind of neat to get their anticipation of that book coming out. Especially for me, since it was the very first Anne book I ever read! [3]

Issue 10

Crystal Singer 10 was published in December 1978 and contains 8 pages. Cover by Joni Wagner.

Adverts

Cloudy (editorial)

Letters to the editor

Pungent (introducing a pun contest)

Who Asked Me? by Eileen Roy (article)

Issue 11

Crystal Singer 11

Issue 12

Crystal Singer 12

Issue 13

cover of issue #13

Crystal Singer 13 was published in March 1979 and contains 12 pages. Because of problems with a planned art centerfold, issues #11 and 12 were delayed. Einstein cover by Real Musgrove in honor of Einstein's centennial.

Adverts

Cloudy (editorial)

Letters to the editor

Consciousness Zero by Joe Herztlinger (article)

Who Asked me? by Eileen Roy (article)

Issue 14

cover of issue #14

Crystal Singer 14 was published in 1979 and contains 8 pages. Cover by Kurt Erichsen. Issues #11/12 were once again promised.